One of South America's most enthralling and righteously preserved colonial destination, Cartagena will seize you in its aged clutches and refuse to let go.

Cartagena de Indias is the queen of the Caribbean coast, a fairy-tale city of romance, legends and superbly preserved beauty lying within an impressive 13km of centuries-old colonial stone walls. Cartagena's old town is a Unesco World Heritage site—a maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across plazas. To the south, the peninsula of Bocagrande is where fashionable cartageneros sip coffee in trendy cafes, dine in glossy restaurants and live in the upscale luxury condos that line the area like guardians to a New World. For athletes, Cartagena offers a place to think outside the tourism box. Stroll through the old town day and night, soak up the atmosphere, and pause to ward off the heat in one of the city's many open-air cafes.

Participants will swim 1.2 miles (1.9 km), in the protected waters of the Bahía de las Ánimas. Spectators will have a great view of the entire Swim Course from the Convention Center and many of the surrounding boardwalks and marinas. Water temperatures are expected to be around 80º Fahrenheit (28º Celsius). The transition between the swim and bike will take place in the Camellón de los Mártires Square in front of Cartagena's iconic clock tower, La Torre del Reloj.

Athletes will then ride a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride from the Convention Center and the Torre del Reloj to the Via al Mar, which is the highway that connects Cartagena with the city of Barranquilla. Along the course, the athletes will enjoy views of many beaches and mangroves. This flat and fast out and back course will see high average speeds.

The two-loop run course will take athletes on a 13.1 mile (21km) journey through the Old City of Cartagena. Participants will make their way through the west part of the city with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea which borders the historic walled city. Upon entering the walled city, athletes will step back in time to the colonial years and pass through the colorful and historical architecture that makes Cartagena a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Athletes will finish their IRONMAN 70.3 journey in front of the Cartagena landmark La Torre del Reloj.